Fall Mantle Decor

Fall.  The date may say it is still Summer.   The day time temperatures definitely say it's still Summer (minus that little dusting of snow we got last week. Yes.It.Snowed.Here.). But, once the sun sets, the chill and crisp air say it's Fall.  Time to get out my bins and set up my Fall mantle decor.

I am still keeping my inner pledge to keep any of my decor simple and understated.  Not to say it's been easy. I do have to rein it in every now and then. 

Just a few loved items make up the mantel for the Fall season.

You may remember this pretty pumpkin from my post last week. The copper owl was a gift from my dear MIL.

In the center, under the clock, a small ceramic white pumpkin sits in a pile of leaves.

You can't tell but it is cradled in a beautiful faux candlewick candy dish that was a housewarming gift from my dear blogging friend, Barbara.

The left side of the mantel is another copper owl from the MIL.  Yes, she got me two of them! The candle sticks and candles I have had forever now. The little plate was also from my recent shopping trip. A single leafy garland finishes it up.

I have been wanting a basket to put near the fireplace to hold blankets and throws in the colder months.  When I saw this one, on clearance, at Michael's I knew it was perfect! A few seasonal gourds, ceramic acorns and ears of colorful corn atop a fall throw, makes the hearth feel even warmer and cozier.

Another faux pumpkin and a tall metal urn are all that was needed for the right side of the fireplace. 

I added the banner I made several years ago across the front and called it done.

Are you ready for Fall?  Have you started to decorate yet?

Like what you see? 

Well then, follow me by email and never miss a new post

Click here to see where I may be partying this week. 

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's

for my link party.

Beach Mantel Decor

Growing up back in Spokane, WA our family had a friend who owned a very rustic cabin on Newman Lake. By rustic I mean, no running water which meant bringing your own drinking water, and learn your way to the outhouse in the middle of the night.

Nestled at the foot of Mt. Spokane it held cool, crisp, calm blue water. He didn't use the cabin much and offered it's use to our family as much as we wanted. I can tell you, we spent many a weekend and week there reveling in getting away from the city.  I always knew we were close because my mother would always ask "There!  Can you smell it? The smell of the pine trees?" And we would always answer with a resounding "Yes!"

I miss those long summer days of swimming, rowing around the lake, laying on the dock listening to Seals & Croft and working on a golden tan. We would also spend time catching big lake bass that my mother refused to clean but was more than happy to cook. Oh my mouth is watering just thinking about those fish fry's over an open campfire! 

Remembering that happy time is the inspiration of my beach mantel for summer.

A little piece of nostalgia and of summers long ago. 
The lifesaver garland was picked up at Cost Plus World Market on one of my recent weekly trips into the store. 

I had found this sweet blue shelf in the shape of a boat several years ago while thrifting. I filled it with a starfish and some shells I picked up, not on a beach, but at an estate sale.

I decorated a Ball mason jar with some material I had on hand, burlap and a shell.

My buddy, Cathy over at Vintage, Paint and More, gave me the inspiration when I saw her post here: Organizing With Mason Jars. I filled the jar with some faux pearls and glass marbles to appear as though I had found them all while beachcombing.

The other side of the mantel has a blue vase I recently found at TJ Maxx set upon my go-to craft paper wrapped books.  An aqua starfish and shell lean against the books while a cobalt blue bottle, wrapped in rope and shells, from Big Lots sits nearby.

The lake tray, in the perfect colors, was a recent find at Michael's, on sale of course!

It puts into words everything a lake vacation is all about!

How about you?  Do you have any childhood memories of vacations spent at a favorite nearby lake?

Like what you see? 

Well then, follow me by email and never miss a new post

I'll be joining my buddy Marlys for her Almost Wordless Wednesday Link Party

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's

for my link party.

4th of July Mantel

Here we are!  June is almost gone and July is up next. It was time to get out my tote of Fourth of July decorations and get our fire place mantel decorated in red, white and blue!

Everything but the banner I already had.

The flag tray was a clearance find at Kohl's. "America" was found on clearance from Hobby Lobby. I painted a $1.00 birdhouse blue and used Mod Podge to put a paper patriotic napkin on the top of the house.

Using a frame I had, a white mat and a dollar store flag, I created a simple statement of our freedom.

I purchased the banner at World Market recently while it was on sale.

On the right side I used the same stacks of white covered books that I had used in my Spring Mantel Decor. The candlestick from that same mantelscape was used again, this time with a white candle wrapped in holiday ribbon.

Another decorated birdhouse and a wooden sign complete the vignette.

I love decorating in our country's colors!  It's such a visible reminder of those that fought for our independence and of those that continue to do battle to make sure those rights remain in place!

Like what you see? 

Well then, follow me by email and never miss a new post

Click here to see where I may be partying this week. 

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesday's

for my link party.

Mantel Decor

Now that the holidays are over and all of the Christmas decor has been purged, repacked and put away, it was time to think about the mantel decor I wanted for the new house. I had gone pretty blingy with the Christmas decor on the mantel and wanted something fresh and light for the New Year.

My jumping off point was the new clock I got on a daily deal from Lowes after Black Friday.

I had been looking all over for a big clock in brown for a good (read: cheap) price and Lowes came through!  50% off so I got it for $24.99! Squeee!

And the best news?  Unlike the previous clock we had, 

when the house is quiet, you don't hear it TICK TOCK! That was one of Mr. B's biggest concerns...it had to be seen but not heard. Done!

Next up was figuring out what else I wanted on the mantel.  I went through all of my home decor bins and when I saw the two blue vases that were a gift from my mother-in-law I knew they would be perfect.

I then added the tall metal piece that I normally kept on the floor by the fireplace.  It was a Hobby Lobby deal from many years ago that I painted gold and dry brushed on some rusty brown.

It added just the right amount of height to the left side. 

The right side took me a bit longer to find the right pieces.  Just when I thought I liked it, I decided I didn't and had to go searching again. I think I finally got the look I was hoping for.

Two candle stands I got from Kirkland's awhile back and framed piece, again from Hobby Lobby clearance.

I love the sentiment and the colors are perfect!

And the finished mantel!

Simple and not over done.  

I think this is setting the trend for how I intend to decorate the rest of the house.  The KISS method. Keep It Simple Sugar!

Follow my blog by email

Click here to see where I may be partying this week.

AND

Don't forget to come by on Tuesdays

for the link party.